EP1259865A2 - Method of pre-releasing encrypted digital data - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for pre-releasing digital content is disclosed. A release time for the digital content is determined and the digital content is encrypted with an encryption key. The encrypted digital cotent is decryptable by a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key. The encrypted digital content is distributed to at least one content user prior to the release time, and the decryption key for the encrypted digital content is released to the content user at the release time. The content user may then decrypt the encrypted digital content with the released decryption key at or after the release time. The encryption key may be selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, where each entry includes a release time for releasing a piece of digital content, and an encryption key for encrypting the digital content that is to be released at the release time.

Description

Title of the Invention

Method of Pre-Releasing Digital Content and Encryption Key Database for

Use Therewith

Technical Field The present invention relates to a framework for pre-releasing digital content in an encrypted form. More specifically, the present invention relates to selecting a release time for the digital content, encrypting the content with an encryption key, pre-releasing the encrypted content selected prior to the release time, and releasing the encryption key at the release time.

Background of the Invention

In many instances, it is desirable to set a release time for releasing information to the relevant public, thereby preventing such relevant public from obtaining and/or accessing and/or using such information until such release time. For example, in the recording industry, it is typical that a new recording by an artist (a musical artist or group, e.g.) is not released to the purchasing public until a selected release time. Reasons for use of such a release time are many and varied.

For example, such release time may be employed as a marketing technique to generate interest or 'buzz' in connection with the to-be-released information (e.g., a new recording by a musical artist, a video copy of a motion picture for home playback) prior to the release time. As another example, the release time is necessary to ensure that all interested information-seekers have relatively equal access to the information (e.g., the latest government employment statistics, the latest quarterly report for a publicly held corporation) at the same time. Accordingly, no particular information-seeker can obtain an advantage over any other information- seeker by obtaining such information first. In still another example, an information supplier may be contractually or otherwise legally bound not to release the information until the release time. Of course, many other reasons for employing release times exist.

Oftentimes, the use of a release time in connection with to-be- released information either intentionally or unintentionally results in the creation of a pent-up demand for such information. As should be understood, such created demand for such information 'bursts forth' at the release time, and the information supplier may be unable to immediately satisfy such demand at the release time, at least initially.

In the situation where such information is electronically distributed in a digital form as digital content over a communications network such as the Internet or the like, for example, it is oftentimes the case that too many requesters are requesting the information / digital content from too few content servers. In such situation, it may also be the case that the communications network itself does not have the capacity or 'bandwidth' to handle the volume of uploading requests for the digital content and/or to handle the volume of downloading digital content. As should be understood, wait times for obtaining the digital content in such a situation can be excessive. As should also be understood, such situation is exacerbated as the size of the downloading digital content increases. More importantly, such a situation may result in a first digital- content-seeker being provided with the digital content well before a second merely because the second had a longer wait time than the first. Similarly, it may be the case that the first digital-content-seeker can download the digital content over a relatively faster access link and the second can only download the information over a relatively slower access link. In either instance, issues of fairness arise in that the first digital-content-seeker can obtain an advantage over the second by having the digital content first. Notably, such issues of fairness arise in spite of the use of a release time, as was discussed above. Accordingly, a need exists for a method of allowing an information-seeker, and particularly a digital-content-seeker, to obtain access to information / digital content at a release time without undue delay, regardless of the size of the digital content or the speed of the access link through which the digital content is obtained.

Summary of the Invention The aforementioned need is satisfied by the present invention which comprises a method for pre-releasing digital content, wherein a release time for the digital content is determined and the digital content is encrypted with an encryption key. The encrypted digital content is decryptable by a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key. The encrypted digital content is distributed to at least one content user prior to the release time, and the decryption key for the encrypted digital content is released to the content user at the release time. The content user may then decrypt the encrypted digital content with the released decryption key at or after the release time. In one embodiment of the present invention, the encryption key is selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, where each entry includes a release time for releasing a piece of digital content, and an encryption key for encrypting the digital content that is to be released at the release time.

As should be understood, the decryption key is generally much smaller in size than the encrypted digital content. Accordingly, such decryption key may be downloaded or otherwise obtained relatively quickly. Moreover, since the encrypted information may be downloaded or otherwise obtained over an extended period of time prior to the release time, bandwidth issues, wait time issues, size of the digital content issues, access speed issues, and other similar issues as discussed above are minimized if not eliminated, and most any digital-content-seeker can obtain access to digital content at the release time thereof without undue delay. Brief Description of the Drawings

The forgoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. As should be understood, however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram representing a general purpose computer system in which aspects of the present invention and/or portions thereof may be incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing steps performed both by a content provider in pre-releasing digital content (left side) and a content user in obtaining pre-released digital content (right side) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an encryption key database that may be employed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 4A and 4B are block diagrams showing encrypted content distributed from a content provider to a content user in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a block diagram representing various elements employed to release the encryption key to a content user in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to Fig . 1 , the following discussion is intended to provide a brief general description of a suitable computing environment in which the present invention and/or portions thereof may be implemented. Although not required, the invention is described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer, such as a client workstation or a server. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures and the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the invention and/or portions thereof may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. The invention may further be practiced in connection with the system and method disclosed in co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 09/290,363, entitled "ENFORCEMENT ARCHITECTURE AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT" and filed on April 1 2, 1 999, hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown in Fig. 1 , an exemplary general purpose computing system includes a conventional personal computer 1 20 or the like, including a processing unit 1 21 , a system memory 1 22, and a system bus 1 23 that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit 1 21 . The system bus 1 23 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory includes read-only memory (ROM) 1 24 and random access memory (RAM) 1 25. A basic input/output system 1 26 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the personal computer 1 20, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM 1 24. The personal computer 1 20 may further include a hard disk drive 1 27 for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown), a magnetic disk drive 1 28 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 1 29, and an optical disk drive 1 30 for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk 1 31 such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. The hard disk drive 1 27, magnetic disk drive 1 28, and optical disk drive 1 30 are connected to the system bus 1 23 by a hard disk drive interface 1 32, a magnetic disk drive interface 1 33, and an optical drive interface 1 34, respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the personal computer 20. Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk 1 29, and a removable optical disk 1 31 , it should be appreciated that other types of computer readable media which can store data that is accessible by a computer may also be used in the exemplary operating environment. Such other types of media include a magnetic cassette, a flash memory card, a digital video disk, a Bernoulli cartridge, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and the like.

A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magnetic disk 1 29, optical disk 1 31 , ROM 1 24 or RAM 1 25, including an operating system 1 35, one or more application programs 1 36, other program modules 1 37 and program data 1 38. A user may enter commands and information into the personal computer 1 20 through input devices such as a keyboard 1 40 and pointing device 1 42. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite disk, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 1 21 through a serial port interface 1 46 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port, or universal serial bus (USB) . A monitor 1 47 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 1 23 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1 48. In addition to the monitor 1 47, a personal computer typically includes other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers and printers. The exemplary system of Fig. 1 also includes a host adapter 1 55, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) bus 1 56, and an external storage device 1 62 connected to the SCSI bus 1 56.

The personal computer 1 20 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 1 49. The remote computer 1 49 may be another personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the personal computer 1 20, although only a memory storage device 1 50 has been illustrated in Fig. 1 . The logical connections depicted in Fig. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 1 51 and a wide area network (WAN) 1 52. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal computer 1 20 is connected to the LAN 1 51 through a network interface or adapter 1 53. When used in a WAN networking environment, the personal computer 1 20 typically includes a modem 1 54 or other means for establishing communications over the wide area network 1 52, such as the Internet. The modem 1 54, which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus 1 23 via the serial port interface 1 46. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer 1 20, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.

Referring now to Figs. 2 through 5, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Fig. 2 a method of pre-releasing digital content (left side), and also a method of obtaining digital content (right side) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In the methods, a content provider 1 0 intending to distribute digital content 1 2 to a content user 1 4 (Figs. 4A and 4B) first determines a content release time (TR) for the content 1 2 (step 201 in Fig. 2) . Such content release time (TR) may be any appropriate time; for example, the time (TR) may be 1 2 midnight, 1 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 1 2 noon, 6:37 p.m. on a particular day, etc. If desirable, the time (TR) may be specified with finer or coarser granularity.

With a determined release time (TR), the content provider 1 0 then encrypts the content 1 2 (content (C) in Fig. 2) with a selected encryption key (EK) (step 203), and distributes the encrypted content (EK(C)) prior to the content release time (TR) (step 205) . Concomitant with the distribution of the encrypted content (EK(Q) (step 205), such distributed encrypted content (EK(C)) is received by a content user 14 (step 209). Notably, the present invention does not require that the release time (TR) be determined before the content (C) is encrypted with the encryption key (EK) unless the selection of the encryption key (EK) is based on the release time (TR), as will be described below. The encryption key (EK) may be any appropriate encryption key, and may be employed in connection with any appropriate encryption algorithm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the encryption key (EK) is part of an asymmetric key pair that includes a decryption key (DK) as will be described below. As will be evident from the discussion that follows, the encryption key (EK) and the decryption key (DK) are akin to a public key and a private key, respectively, although the decryption key (DK) is to be made public at the release time (TR) . The encryption key (EK) may alternatively be a symmetric key, wherein the decryption key (DK) is the encryption key (EK) . However, in the event that the encryption key (EK) is to be publicly disclosed prior to the release time (TR), as will be discussed below, it should be evident that such encryption key (EK) should not in fact be a symmetric key.

The encrypted content (EK(Q) may be distributed (step 205) by the content provider 1 0 and received by the content user 1 4 (step 209) by any available means before the content release time (TR) . In one embodiment of the present invention, the content provider 1 0 distributes and the content user 1 4 receives the encrypted content (EK(Q) over a communications network such as the Internet or the like. However, the encrypted content (EK(Q) may also be distributed by other means, including by way of an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or tape; by way of direct transmission from the content provider 10 to the content user 1 4; by way of an electronic bulletin board, by way of electronic mail; by way of regular mail; by way of an Internet web page; etc. Moreover, the actual process of distribution and receipt of the encrypted content (EK(C)) from the content provider 1 0 to the content user 1 4 may occur by way of several intermediate distribution steps; may be based on a request from the content user 14 to the content provider 1 0 or to an intermediary; or may be automatically delivered from a content provider 1 0 or an intermediary to the content user 1 4. Payment for receiving the encrypted content (EK(Q) may occur, or may not be necessary.

Preferably, the distribution of the encrypted content (EK(Q) occurs a sufficient amount of time prior to the content release time (TR) (i.e., with a sufficient amount of 'lead time') such that such distribution can occur in a relatively orderly manner, with little if any difficulty encountered by a content user 1 4 when attempting to access a server or the like to obtain the encrypted content (EK(Q). Any amount of lead time may be employed, although it is to be appreciated that more lead time should ideally be provided when demand for a particular piece of content 1 2 is expected to be high. As should be appreciated, if it is anticipated that 1 00,000 content users 1 4 will wish to pre-release download a new computer game, 1 00 days of lead time will provide an average of 1 ,000 downloads per day, while 1 0 days of lead time will provide an average of 1 0,000 downloads per day.

A longer lead time is of course desirable since necessary bandwidth is reduced. However, a longer lead time also increases the probability that a nefarious individual will determine how to decrypt the encrypted content (EK(C)) prior to the release time (TR). Of course, a shorter lead time is acceptable provided the distribution mechanism has sufficient available bandwidth to support the higher download frequency. At any rate, a lead time of a month or more could be desirable for distributing relatively high demand content 1 2 having a relatively large size, such as for example a 60 minute recording by a popular musical performer, and a lead time of a week or so could be desirable for distributing relatively high demand content 1 2 having a relatively small size, such as for example a quarterly forecast for frozen orange juice concentrate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When the encrypted content (EK(Q) is received by a content user, whether it occurs before or after the content release time (TR) (step 209), the content user 1 4 preferably stores such received encrypted content (EK(C)) in an appropriate storage mechanism. Any such appropriate storage mechanism may be employed; for example, the mechanism may be a magnetic disk or tape, an optical disk, a hard drive, RAM, ROM, etc. As should be understood, the content 1 2 encrypted as (EK(Q) is intended to be played back or rendered, ultimately, on an appropriate playback or rendering device. Depending on the encrypted content (EK(Q) (text, music, video, multimedia, a database, plotting data, etc.), the playback / rendering device may include or be embodied by a personal computer, a portable personal appliance, a digital video monitor, an audio digital playback system, etc.

As should be understood, the decryption key (DK) for decrypting the encrypted content (EK(C)) is released to the content user 14 only at or after the content release time (TR) (step 207, Fig. 2). Accordingly, such content user 1 4 can receive such content decryption key (DK) at or some time after the content release time (TR) (step 21 1 ) . As with the distribution of the encrypted content (EK(Q), the decryption key (DK) may be released by any appropriate means; for example, the decryption key (DK) may be released by being made generally available on a server or the like. Alternatively, the decryption key (DK) may be sent to a content user 14 by way of an Internet web page, an electronic mail message, a regular mail message, or the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the decryption key (DK) is released to the content user 1 4 over a communications network such as the Internet or the like. However, like the encrypted content (EK(C)), the decryption key (DK) may also be released by other means, including by way of an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or tape; by way of direct transmission from the content provider 1 0 to the content user 1 4; by way of an electronic bulletin board, by way of electronic mail; by way of regular mail; by way of an Internet web page; etc. Moreover, and also like the encrypted content, the actual process of releasing the decryption key (DK) to the content user 1 4 may occur by way of several intermediate releasing steps; may be based on a request from the content user 1 4 to a key source 1 6 (Fig. 5) or to an intermediary thereof; or may be automatically delivered from the key source 1 6 or an intermediary to the content user 1 4. Notably, and as discussed in more detail below, the key source 1 6 is not necessarily the content provider 10.

Of course, the content user 1 4 may attempt to obtain the decryption key (DK) from the key source 1 6 prior to the content release time (TR), although such attempt should fail. In particular, the key source 1 6 is trusted not to release the decryption key (DK) for the encrypted content (EK(C)) until the content release time (TR) .

Since the release of the decryption key (DK) for the encrypted content (EK(Q) occurs at the content release time (TR), and since it is possible that large numbers of content users 1 4 will wish to obtain the decryption key (DK) immediately thereafter, it is possible that a small delay can occur in connection therewith. As should be understood, though, the decryption key is generally much smaller in size than the encrypted digital content. Accordingly, an undue delay should not occur, with little if any difficulty encountered by a content user 1 4 when attempting to access a server or the like to obtain the decryption key (DK) for the encrypted content (EK(O).

It is to be noted that although the encrypted content (EK(C)) is distributed before the content release time (TR), and although the content decryption key (DK) for such encrypted content (EK(C)) is not released until the release time (TR), a content user 1 4 may receive the encrypted content (EK(C)) after the release time (TR), and/or may also receive the decryption key (DK) after the release time (TR) . Moreover, since it is expected that a content user 14 may wish to obtain the decryption key (DK) for some time after the release time (TR), the key source is expected to provide such decryption key (DK) for at lease a minimum period of time after the release time (TR) .

In the course of obtaining the decryption key (DK) from a key source, and in one embodiment of the present invention, a content user 1 4 may have appropriate hardware and/or software that automatically detects from received encrypted digital content (EK(Q) where the decryption key for such content is located (e.g., a web address for a key source 1 6 / server or the like) and may also automatically obtain such decryption key (DK) from the decryption key location when such decryption key (DK) is available. In such a situation, it may be preferable to package the encrypted digital content (EK(C)) with information on the key source 1 6 for obtaining the decryption key (DK) . Likewise, it may be preferable to package the encrypted digital content (EK(C)) with the content release time (TR), as is seen in Fig. 4A (omitted in Fig. 4B). In one embodiment of the present invention, a content user 1 4 obtains the decryption key (DK) from the key source 1 6 in exchange for a payment. Accordingly, and as seen in Fig. 5, the key source 1 6 may include or be associated with a payment device 1 8 for obtaining a payment from the content user 1 4 in exchange for sending the decryption key (DK) to such content user 14. Such payment device 1 8 may be any appropriate payment device, including a credit payment device, a debit payment device, a cash payment device, a charge payment device, or the like. Typically, the payment device 1 8 receives a credit, debit, or charge account number from the content user 1 4 and electronically charges the payment against an account associated with such number. As also seen in Fig. 5, the key source 1 6 may also include or be associated with a sending and/or releasing device 20 for sending / releasing the private key (DK) to the content user 1 4. Such sending / releasing device 20 may be any appropriate device; for example, the device 20 may send an Internet web page, an electronic mail message, a regular mail message, etc. with the private key (DK) to the content user 1 4.

As further seen in Fig. 5, the key source 1 6 may include or be associated with a receive device 22 for receiving a request for the decryption key (DK) from the content user 1 4. The receive device 22 may be any appropriate device. Typically, the receiving device 22 receives an Internet web page or request from the content user 1 4, an electronic mail message from the content user 14, or the like.

Once the key source 1 6 has received a request for the decryption key (DK) from the content user 1 4 by way of a receive device 22 (if necessary), has processed a payment by way of the payment device 1 8 (if necessary), and has sent the decryption key (DK) by way of the send/release device 20 to the content user 14 such content user receives the decryption key (DK) (step 21 1 in Fig. 2) and may then store the received decryption key (DK) in an appropriate location. Such appropriate location will vary depending upon the application and the location of the corresponding encrypted content (EK(Q), and may include long-term storage (e.g., a hard drive) if the decryption key (DK) does not immediately decrypt the encrypted digital content (EK(C)) or short-term storage (e.g., RAM) if the decryption key (DK) immediately decrypts the encrypted digital content (EK(C)) . Generally, any appropriate storage location may be employed. Thereafter, the content user 1 4 may then employ the decryption key (DK) to decrypt the encrypted digital content (EK(Q) (step 21 3 in Fig. 2), thereby resulting in the content 1 2 in an unencrypted form. Such content 1 2 may then be rendered by an appropriate rendering device and/or stored in the decrypted form.

Referring now to Fig. 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, the content provider 1 0 obtains the encryption key (EK) from an encryption key database 24 that has a plurality of entries, where each entry includes a release time (TR) and a corresponding encryption key (EK) . As should be understood, for each entry in the encryption key database 24, the encryption key (EK) for such entry is for encrypting content 1 2 that is to be released at the release time (TR) of such entry. For example, then, when a content provider 10 wishes to release a piece of content 1 2 at a release time (TR) of December 31 , 1 999, at 1 1 :00 p.m. (1 999/1 2/31 - 2300), such content provider 10 refers to the entry in the encryption key database 24 having such release time (TR), as seen in Fig. 3, which in this case has a corresponding encryption key (EK) of 66437G, and employs such encryption key (EK) to encrypt the content 1 2.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each entry of the encryption key database 24 also includes a corresponding decryption key (DK) that corresponds to the encryption key (EK). Accordingly, and as also seen in Fig. 3, for a piece of content 1 2 encrypted to be released at a release time (TR) of December 31 , 1 999 at 1 1 :00 p.m. (1 999/1 2/31 - 2300) and therefore encrypted with the encryption key (EK) of 66437G, the corresponding decryption key (DK) is 65G554.

Preferably, the release times (TR) in the plurality of entries in the encryption key database 24 are regularly temporally spaced.

Accordingly, and as seen in Fig. 3, hourly release times (TR) are provided, i.e. on December 31 , 1 999 at 10:00 p.m. ( 1 999/1 2/31 - 2200), at 1 1 :00 p.m. ( 1 999/1 2/31 - 2300), at midnight (2000/01 /01 - 0000), on January 1 , 2000 at 1 :00 a.m. (2000/01 /01 - 01 00), etc. Of course, entries may be other than hourly; for example, the periodicity of each entry may be daily, semi-daily, bi-daily, every 27 minutes, every 8.5 hours, etc. Preferably, each release time (TR) is with respect to a particular time zone or an absolute time - for example, Eastern U.S. time, coordinated universal time (UTC), etc.

If desired, the content provider 1 0 may release each decryption key (DK) at the corresponding release time (TR). Accordingly, such content provider 1 0 can access each decryption key (DK) in the encryption key database 24. Alternatively, a third party may be responsible for releasing each encryption key (DK) at the appropriate release time (TR) . In such a situation, the third party may construct the encryption key database 24 and publish such database 24 to the world with each release time (TR) and with each corresponding encryption key (EK), but without each corresponding decryption key (DK). Of course, the content provider 1 0 can also construct and publish the database 24 without the decryption keys (DK) .

Of course, the actual release of the decryption key (DK) at the release time (TR) may not in fact take place exactly at such release time (TR). For example, such actual release may be delayed for any of a variety of reasons. Whether or not the release of a decryption key (DK) for a release time (TR) actually takes place at such release time (TR), the important point is that the actual release of such decryption key (DK) does not take place before such release time (TR). Accordingly 'at the release time' and variations thereof may be interpreted to include 'no earlier than the release time' and corresponding variations thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, any content provider 10 may consult such encryption key database 24 to select an encryption key (EK) based on a pre-selected release time (TR) . Even though such content provider 1 0 does not know the decryption key (DK) that corresponds to such encryption key (EK) for such release time (TR), it is not necessary that such content provider 1 0 have knowledge of such decryption key (DK). Such content provider 10 need only encrypt the content 1 2 with the selected encryption key (EK), and then rely on the third party to release the corresponding decryption key (DK) at the corresponding release time (TR) . In one embodiment of the present invention, the content provider 1 0 encrypts the content 1 2 a single time with an encryption key (EK) from the encryption key database 24, as is seen in Fig. 4A. Thus, only one decryption key (DK) (released at the corresponding release time (TR) is necessary to decrypt the encrypted content. In another embodiment of the present invention, the content provider 1 0 encrypts the content 1 2 a plurality of times with a plurality of encryption keys (EK) from the encryption key database 24, as is seen in Fig. 4B (with two encryptions) . Accordingly, a content user 1 4 must obtain each corresponding decryption key (DK) to decrypt the encrypted content. As should be understood, the release time (TR) corresponding to each encryption key (EK) must be no later than the determined release time (TR) for the content 1 2. As should also be understood, multiple layers of encryption, as seen in Fig. 4B, protect against accidental early release of the content 1 2 should one of the corresponding decryption keys (DK) be accidentally or nefariously released early.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the content provider 10 chooses the encryption key (EK) from one of several available encryption key databases 24. In particular, although it is to be understood that only a single such database 24 is necessary, it may be useful for administrative or security purposes to have multiple such databases 24. For example, one database 24 may provide encryption keys (EK) for finance- oriented content, while another database 24 may provide encryption keys (EK) for entertainment-oriented comment. Likewise, in a manner akin to that shown in Fig. 4B, encryption keys (EK) for the same or different release times (TR) may be selected from different databases 24 for purposes of multiple layers of encryption.

Of course, in any instance where an encryption key (EK) may have originated from one of multiple databases 24, it is necessary to include a reference to the particular database 24 with the encrypted content 1 2. Accordingly, such particular database 24 is identified and may be accessed by a content user 14 at the appropriate release time (TR) to obtain the decryption key (DK) corresponding to the encryption key (EK) . If the database 24 is to be accessed on a network such as an intranet or the Internet, the reference is preferably a network address through which the database 24 can be accessed. The programming necessary to effectuate the processes performed in connection with the present invention is relatively straightforward and should be apparent to the relevant programming public. Any particular programming, then, may be employed to effectuate the present invention. In the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a new and useful method of pre-releasing and obtaining digital content, and also an encryption key database 24 for use therewith. With such method and database 24, an information-seeker, and particularly a digital-content-seeker, can obtain access to information / digital content at a release time without undue delay, regardless of the size of the digital content or the speed of the access link through which the digital content is obtained. Importantly, in the present invention, each encryption key database is generally expected to be published by a well known trusted party which may or may not be different from the content publishers, and is expected to be distributed widely. Each decryption key (DK) is to be made broadly available at its specified time (TR), but not any sooner. It should be appreciated that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the invention concepts thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLA1MS

1 . A method of pre-releasing digital content having a predetermined release time, the method comprising: encrypting the digital content with an encryption key, the encrypted digital content being decryptable by a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key; distributing the encrypted digital content to at least one content user prior to the release time; releasing the decryption key for the encrypted digital content to the content user at the release time, wherein the content user can then decrypt the encrypted digital content with the released decryption key.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the releasing step comprises sending the decryption key to the content user.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the releasing step comprises sending the decryption key to the content user by way of a device selected from a group consisting of an Internet web page, an electronic mail message and a regular mail message.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key from an asymmetric key pair.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key that is a symmetric key, wherein the decryption key is the encryption key.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, each entry including a release time and an encryption key, the encryption key being selected from one of the entries in the database based on the release time of the entry and the determined release time of the digital content.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, each entry including a release time and an encryption key, the release times in the plurality of entries being regularly temporally spaced.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content a plurality of times with a plurality of encryption keys from the encryption key database, the release time corresponding to each encryption key being no later than the determined release time for the digital content.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content a plurality of times with a plurality of encryption keys selected from a plurality of encryption key databases.

1 0. The method of claim 6 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, each entry including a release time, an encryption key, and a corresponding decryption key.

1 1 . The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the decryption key for at least a minimum period of time after the release time.

1 2. The method of claim 1 1 further comprising packaging the encrypted digital content with the release time.

1 3. A method of pre-releasing digital content having a pre- determined release time, the method comprising: encrypting the digital content with an encryption key, the encrypted digital content being decrypt-able by a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key; the decryption key not being released to the content user until the release time; and distributing the encrypted digital content to at least one content user prior to the release time, wherein the content user cannot decrypt the encrypted digital content until the decryption key is released at the release time.

1 4. The method of claim 1 3 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key from an asymmetric key pair.

1 5. The method of claim 1 3 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, each entry including a release time and an encryption key, the encryption key being selected from one of the entries in the database based on the release time of the entry and the determined release time of the digital content.

1 6. The method of claim 1 5 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, each entry including a release time and an encryption key, the release times in the plurality of entries being regularly temporally spaced.

1 7. The method of claim 1 6 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content a plurality of times with a plurality of encryption keys from the encryption key database, the release time corresponding to each encryption key being no later than the determined release time for the digital content.

1 8. The method of claim 1 5 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content with an encryption key selected from an encryption key database having a plurality of entries, each entry including a release time, an encryption key, and a corresponding decryption key.

1 9. The method of claim 1 5 wherein the encrypting step comprises encrypting the digital content a plurality of times with a plurality of encryption keys selected from a plurality of encryption key databases.

20. The method of claim 1 5 further comprising packaging the encrypted digital content with the release time.

21 . A method of obtaining digital content having a predetermined release time, the method comprising: firstly receiving prior to the release time the digital content encrypted according to an encryption key associated with the release time, the encrypted digital content being decrypt-able by a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key; secondly receiving at the release time the decryption key for the encrypted digital content; and decrypting the encrypted digital content with the released decryption key.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the second receiving step comprises obtaining the decryption key from a key source.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the second receiving step comprises automatically detecting from the received encrypted digital content where the decryption key is located, and automatically obtaining such decryption key when available.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the second receiving step comprises obtaining the decryption key from a key source in exchange for a payment.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the second receiving step comprises obtaining the decryption key from a key source selected from a group consisting of an Internet web page and an electronic bulletin board.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the second receiving step comprises receiving the decryption key by way of a device selected from a group consisting of an Internet web page, an electronic mail message and a regular mail message.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the first receiving step comprises firstly receiving prior to the release time the digital content encrypted a plurality of times according to a plurality of encryption keys, each encryption key associated with a particular release time, the release time associated with each encryption key being no later than the predetermined release time for the digital content.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein the first receiving step comprises receiving the encrypted digital content packaged with the release time.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the second receiving step comprises automatically obtaining the decryption key at the release time.

30. An encryption key database having a plurality of entries, each entry including: a release time for releasing a piece of digital content; and an encryption key for encrypting the digital content that is to be released at the release time, the encrypted digital content being distributed to at least one content user prior to the release time.

31 . The database of claim 30 wherein each entry further includes a corresponding decryption key for decrypting the encrypted digital content, the decryption key for being released to the content user at the release time, wherein the content user can then decrypt the encrypted digital content with the released decryption key.

32. The database of claim 30 wherein the release times in the plurality of entries are regularly temporally spaced.

33. A piece of digital content encrypted a plurality of times with a plurality of encryption keys from the encryption key database of claim 30, the release time corresponding to each encryption key being no later than the determined release time for the digital content.

34. The encrypted digital content of claim 33 packaged with the release time.

35. A piece of digital content encrypted a plurality of times with a plurality of encryption keys from a plurality of the encryption key databases of claim 30.

36. The encrypted digital content of claim 30 packaged with the release time.

37. In combination with the database of claim 30, a sending device for sending the decryption key to the content user.

38. The sending device of claim 37 comprising a member of the group consisting of an Internet web page sending device and an electronic mail sending device.

39. In combination with the database and the sending device of claim 37, a payment device for obtaining a payment from the content user in exchange for sending the decryption key to the content user.

40. In combination with the database of claim 30, a receiving device for receiving a request for the decryption key from the content user.

41 . The receiving device of claim 40 comprising a member of the group consisting of an Internet web page receiving device and an electronic mail receiving device.

42. The database of claim 30 wherein the encryption key and the decryption key are an asymmetric key pair.

43. The database of claim 30 wherein the encryption key and the decryption key are the same key.

44. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure having a plurality of entries, each entry including: a first data field containing data representing a release time for releasing a piece of digital content; a second data field containing data representing an encryption key for encrypting the digital content that is to be released at the release time, the encrypted digital content being distributed to at least one content user prior to the release time.

45. The medium of claim 44 wherein each entry further includes a third data field containing data representing a corresponding decryption key for decrypting the encrypted digital content, the decryption key for being released to the content user at the release time, wherein the content user can then decrypt the encrypted digital content with the released decryption key.

46. The medium of claim 45 wherein the encryption key in the second data field and the decryption key in the third data field are the same key.

47. The medium of claim 44 wherein the release times in the first data fields of the plurality of entries are regularly temporally spaced.

48. In combination with the medium of claim 44, a sending device for sending the decryption key to the content user.

49. The sending device of claim 48 comprising a member of the group consisting of an Internet web page sending device and an electronic mail sending device.

50. In combination with the medium and the sending device of claim 48, a payment device for obtaining a payment from the content user in exchange for sending the decryption key to the content user.

51 . In combination with the medium of claim 44, a receiving device for receiving a request for the decryption key from the content user.

52. The receiving device of claim 51 comprising a member of the group consisting of an Internet web page receiving device and an electronic mail receiving device.

53. The medium of claim 44 wherein the encryption key and the decryption key are an asymmetric key pair.